The Buffalo Sabres have traded forward Eric Staal to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2021 third- and fifth-round pick.
The Sabres are retaining 50 percent of Staal’s salary.
Pierre LeBrun: Staal had to agree to the trade as the Canadiens were on his 10-team no-trade list.
John Lu: “#Sabres retain 50% of Staal’s $3.25M salary. #Habs had $800,760 of cap space (@CapFriendly) prior to the deal so they need to shed an additional $824,240.”
Buffalo Sabres: GM Kevyn Adams on Eric Staal: “The professionalism Eric displayed during his time with Sabres was felt by everybody in our organization from top to bottom. I know his leadership and demeanor were valued by our players, coaches and staff, and Eric’s impact on our young players is obvious. It was a pleasure to be around Eric again and I wish him and his family all the best.”
Thoughts from the media:
Pierre LeBrun: “Habs had three third-round picks to choose from. Smart deal to pick up a veteran centre like Eric Staal.”
Chris Johnston: “It is believed Eric Staal will only be subject to the reduced seven-day quarantine after travelling to Canada, but there is nothing in writing confirmed from the federal government just yet.”
Renaud Lavoie: “The @CanadiensMTL don’t have to make another trade to fit Eric Staal under the cap when he’ll finish his quarantine. Fact that the @BuffaloSabres retains 50% of his salary is obviously one of the main reasons.”
Eric Staal, acquired by MTL, is a solid middle-six centre who can still drive play offensively at a decent level but – like all Buffalo Sabres top sixers – apparently forgot how to score goals this season. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/oKIAXPAcnP
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 26, 2021